Projected Trade Gives Patriots Massive Haul for No. 3 Pick
By Ryan Bunton
The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit is a month away. The months-long lead up to the draft makes it one of the most highly scrutinized and speculated events on the sports calendar.
As April 25 nears closer, that noise and speculation has only grown louder. With New England slated to hold their highest pick since 1993 at third overall and presumably intending to identify a franchise quarterback towards the top of the board, the Patriots have been the subject of much of this speculation.
As it pertains to the Patriots, draft analyst Matt Miller of ESPN added to this speculation when he posed a blockbuster trade between New England and Minnesota.
Miller released a seven-round mock draft on Wednesday in which New England ships their third overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings for the Vikings' 11th and 23rd overall picks in this year's draft, in addition to a 2025 first-rounder. It would be quite the return for the Patriots, but Miller's usage of the return picks might turn off fans.
With the 11th overall pick, Miller has New England selecting Penn State OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Iowa CB Cooper DeJean with the 23rd overall pick.
Even though New England holds another pick atop the second round and would likely have a shot at one of the top five quarterbacks in the class, the analyst still predicts Florida State wideout Keon Coleman with the 34th pick.
Miller doesn't predict that the Patriots will address the quarterback position until the 4th round, with Spencer Rattler out of South Carolina. Admittedly, his mock draft does address some of the most pressing needs on New England's roster, but if the Patriots do not select a quarterback until the fourth round (as Miller predicts in his mock draft), that could be cause for mutiny from the fanbase in Foxborough.
If New England was possibly able to take J.J. McCarthy at 11 or scoop up Bo Nix or Michael Penix, Jr. with their 34th overall selection, it would likely be more digestible for New England fans.
Veteran QB Jacoby Brissett was signed on March 11 to a one-year deal and is widely expected to serve as a bridge quarterback while the rookie signal caller is able to acclimate to the NFL and develop behind the scenes.
Patriots brass is attending reigning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels' LSU Pro Day. New England sent a large contingent, with nine different staff members in attendance. Daniels is also scheduled to meet with the Patriots following his Pro Day. Drake Maye will work out for scouts at UNC's Pro Day on Thursday.
As things currently stand, the consensus is that New England's decision with the third overall pick will come down to a choice between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.
If Miller's proposed blockbuster proves prophetic however, it will be neither.
Currently, Drake Maye (+100) and Jayden Daniels (+160) are considered the frontrunners to be the No. 3 overall pick, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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